Breastfeeding and Asthma in Young Children

Abstract

A longer duration of breastfeeding appears to be protective against the development of asthma and wheeze in young children. More public health efforts should be directed toward increasing the initiation and duration of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and the Developmental Origins of Asthma: Current Evidence, Possible Mechanisms, and Future Research Priorities

“…In addition to providing optimal nutrition to support infant growth, human milk is an immunologically complex fluid containing multiple components that promote the development of innate and adaptive immunity [ 12 , 13 ]. In the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study, we have observed that breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of wheezing in the first year of life [ 14 ] and lower odds of possible or probable asthma by three years of age [ 15 ], consistent with other cohorts in Canada, Sweden, United States and Australia [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. However, not all studies have confirmed this association [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Breastfeeding, Serum Level of Hemoglobin and Ferritin Associated with the Risk of Asthma in Children: A Case-Control Study

“…A few studies have suggested that a longer duration of breastfeeding can have protective effects against the de- velopment of asthma in children. A national populationbased longitudinal survey of children and youth on a sample of 331,100 children revealed that there is a doseresponse effect with breastfeeding duration and asthma (33). Also, In line with our findings, results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 articles on the association between breastfeeding and asthma and allergies shows that more duration of breastfeeding compare to less duration was associated with reduced risk of asthma for children aged 5 -18 years, and this protection association was more significant in low/medium-income countries (34).…”

Maternal Black Race and Persistent Wheezing Illness in Former Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial

“…Regardless, in the current study, we did not collect comprehensive data to assess SES, social stressors, and all possible environmental exposures. We did consider inclusion of maternal age and educational attainment, and a number of potential exposures that can be related to SES 20, 21, 33–36 . As only public insurance status remained in our final mediation analysis, our available data and methodology may underestimate the explanatory role of social factors in the observed racial disparity.…”

“…Infants continuing on breast milk after discharge likely had greater exposure to breast milk during hospitalization (usually 3–4 months) as well. Prolonged breast milk diet (≥3 months) is considered protective against childhood wheezing illness and asthma, although associations are variable 33, 34, 43 . Proposed mechanisms include developmental effects on immunity and atopy.…”

“…These protective effects may be greatest in atopic and young children (for which early respiratory infection is likely important). Prolonged breastfeeding is also related to socioeconomic factors, with decreased breast milk exposure associated with lower family income and maternal educational attainment, and increased rates of exposure to tobacco smoke before and after birth 33 . Thus, our findings related to breast milk diet may capture both biological effects of breast milk on development of lung immunity, and the impact of socioenvironmental exposures (Figure 1, A).…”